Air-permeable tongue for shoes, comprising a rigid yet flexible tongue part

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an air-permeable tongue for shoes ( 1 ) which adapts to an individual instep and can be connected to shoes, the tongue comprising the following: a flexible yet rigid tongue part ( 1 ), which substantially represents the outwardly facing upper face of the tongue and which has an elongate tongue shape having a proximal end ( 2 ) and a distal end ( 3 ) and substantially consists of a rigid, solid material; and padding ( 14 ), which is arranged beneath the rigid tongue part ( 1 ) toward a foot in order to protect the foot from pressure points by the rigid tongue part ( 1 ) after the shoe has been fastened; the rigid tongue part ( 1 ) being characterized in that an inner elongate slot ( 6; 6   a;    6   b ), and extending therefrom inner transverse slots ( 7 ), are introduced into the tongue part substantially in the center along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part ( 1 ), whereby rigid segments, which in their interior are not interrupted by the elongate slot ( 6; 6   a,    6   b ) or by transverse slots ( 7 ), are produced between said elongate slots and transverse slots, and whereby narrowed and thus flexible material webs ( 5 ) are also produced at connecting points between the rigid segments, wherein, by means of said material webs, the rigid tongue part ( 1 ) can be deformed and adapt to the instep, and being further characterized in that the padding ( 14 ) has an inner elongate slot ( 14   b ), which is substantially congruent with the elongate slot ( 6; 6   a,    6   b ) in the rigid tongue part ( 1 ).

The present invention refers to a tongue for shoes according to thepreamble of claim 1, which is substantially a rigid, stable tongue whichnevertheless evenly distributes a pressure caused by shoelaces over theinstep and which has a padding directed towards the instep andpreferably at least one ventilation channel.

STATE OF THE ART

Existing tongues for shoes insufficiently take into account the anatomyof the instep and of the foot in terms of continuous form fit andnon-positive connection and in terms of an even distribution of forceover the instep. Either the tongues are soft, causing increased pressureforces at the sites of the shoelaces, or the tongues are rigid andstiff, which is inadequate to an individual shape of the instep, leadingto pressure sores. Especially hiking shoes and shoes for walking longdistances also over uneven ground, which have to be tied somewhatfaster, frequently cause pressure sores and pain, in dependence on theshape of the tongue and of the instep.

From DE2323417, an air-permeable, rigid tongue for shoes is known whichadapts to an individual instep but where, however, the padding does notcorrespond to the ventilation of the tongue part. Furthermore, fromDE20209836U1, DE69404408T2 and DE69909510T2, shoe tongues with a rigidtongue part are known as well which, however, do not have a congruentpadding. Post-published WO2010/128037 by the same applicant discloses ashoe whose tongue does not comprise transverse slits extending from theelongate slit.

The PCT/EP2010 056 022 of the same applicant, the content of which isherein incorporated by reference, for instance describes an improvedtongue and lacing system for shoes which has an improved form fit and animproved even distribution of pressure over the foot, wherein the shoecan be completely opened with an opening of the shoelaces and openingand tying can be performed easily. In case of fast tying and with instepshapes which strongly differ from the norm, the distribution of pressureover the instep can still be optimized, easily leading to pressure soresand pain in the present form.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a tongue forshoes which eliminates the disadvantages of the state of the art,exhibiting a structure which is both rigid and stable for distributionof pressure by tying and at the same time adapts to the individualinstep, thus evenly distributing the pressure over the individuallyshaped insteps and ensuring a good fit in the shoe. The tongue accordingto the invention also has a centering function, such that displacementon the instep is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to preferably provide a ventilationfunction for the shoe within the tongue.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The above objects and further objects to be gathered from thedescription are achieved by an air-permeable tongue for shoes accordingto the independent claim 1.

According to the invention, a preferred embodiment of an air-permeabletongue for shoes is provided which consists of a rigid tongue made of arelatively firm material and which is deformable in segments thanks torespective slits with remaining connection points, and which thereforeelastically adapts in segments to an instep with an individual shape. Inthis manner, pressure forces exerted on rigid tongue segments byexternal tying are substantially evenly transferred to the instepwithout causing constrictions. On the other hand, the tongue comprises apadding directed toward the foot which smoothly distributes the pressureforces of the rigid tongue segments over the foot. According to theinvention, the padding is provided with an inner longitudinal slitdirected and congruent with an inner longitudinal slit of the rigidtongue so as to provide a ventilation path for water vapor from theinterior of the shoe.

In another preferred embodiment of the air-permeable tongue, the rigidtongue comprises a rigid exterior tongue part and a rigid interiortongue part arranged below it, which parts are mutually spaced byspacing elements and thus together form a ventilation channel betweenthe rigid exterior tongue part and the rigid interior tongue part. Theventilation channel is connected to the ambient air by at least oneperforation of the exterior tongue part at its distal end so as to causea chimney effect by the cold air from outside along the ventilationchannel, so that water vapor is withdrawn from the foot beneath therigid interior tongue part upwards to the proximal end via theventilation channel.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in thedependent claims.

Preferred embodiments are presented in the following drawings anddescribed in the detailed description, but are not intended to limit thepresent invention.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a rigid tongue part of a tonguefor a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit,interior transverse slits connected to it and openings in the elasticmaterial.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a rigid tongue part of atongue for a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit,interior transverse slits connected to it and openings in the tonguepart.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a rigid tongue part of atongue for a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit,two lateral interior longitudinal slits and interior transverse slitsconnected to them.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view according to FIG. 3, wherein the proximalend face of the tongue is visible.

FIG. 4 b is a lateral view of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a from the end face ofthe tongue with the tongue flattened so that substantially only theplanar composite structure of the tongue at the proximal end face isvisible.

FIG. 5 is an explosion view from the top on to the embodiment of FIG. 1,with a tongue-shaped padding shown below it.

FIG. 6 is an explosion view from the top on to the main parts of anotherembodiment of a tongue, consisting of a first rigid tongue part (top), asecond rigid tongue part with cylindrical spacing elements applied on it(center) and a padding (bottom).

FIG. 7 a is a lateral view according to FIG. 6, wherein the proximal endface of the tongue with open channels between the first rigid tonguepart and the second rigid tongue part is visible.

FIG. 7 b is a perspective view according to FIG. 6, in which theproximal end face of the tongue is visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment according to the present invention showing arigid tongue part 1 as a main component of a tongue for shoes,preferably having longitudinal and substantially axially symmetricalshape with reference to a sagittal longitudinal axis of the tongue.Preferably, there are differences in the axial symmetry, correspondingto differences between a left and a right foot. Thus, advantageously,the tongue according to the invention can be embodied as a left or aright tongue.

The rigid tongue part 1 has an upper, proximal end 2 and a lower, distalend 3. Preferably, in the upper third of the proximal end 2, lateralslits 4 are applied on both sides, which guarantee, in combination witha preferably applied upper inner transverse slit 8, increasedflexibility of the rigid tongue part 1 at flexible material bridges 5remaining therebetween.

Preferably, also in the lower, distal third of the rigid tongue part 1,lateral slits 4, in particular two lateral slits on the left and on theright, are applied, which leave a bridge 5 of material directed alongthe longitudinal axis, which bridge is dimensioned such that also in thelower third of the tongue, sufficient flexibility of the rigid tonguepart 1 is guaranteed. In practice, during wearing of the shoe, thelateral slits 4 guarantee that the tongue and accordingly the rigidtongue part 1 can individually adapt to a curved shape along the heightof the instep, which is made more difficult in mechanical terms by thefact that the tongue or the rigid tongue part 1, respectively, arecurved about their longitudinal axis and must snugly adhere to theinstep which slopes downward on both sides. This means that the tonguemust have both a curvature about its longitudinal axis, corresponding tothe instep sloping downward on both sides, and nevertheless have aflexibility along its longitudinal axis, corresponding to the contourline of the instep. In dependence on the shoe and on its use, thelateral slits 4 can preferably have a substantially widening toward theoutside and a triangular shape.

Preferably, parts of the material bridges 5 are embodied such that theyhave a lower thickness of material than the rest of the rigid tonguepart 1 so that in these areas, both flexibility is increased and thedanger of breakage is reduced.

In the center and along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part1, an interior longitudinal slit 6 of a certain width, extendingpreferably from the distal third to the proximal third along the centrallongitudinal axis, is applied. The function of the interior longitudinalslit 6 is on the one hand to provide the rigid tongue part 1 with moreflexibility about its longitudinal axis so that it can better adjust tothe instep which slopes down on both sides from its sagittal contourline. On the other hand, the longitudinal slit 6 effects in combinationwith interior transverse slits 7 extending from the longitudinal slit onboth sides, and in particular with four interior transverse slits 7,that the sole or the otherwise the rigid tongue part 1, respectively,can better adapt to any anatomical protrusions of the instep so as toprevent pressure sores. The interior transverse slits 7 extendinglaterally from the longitudinal slit 6, which can preferably extend upto the very ends of the lateral edges, provide the otherwise rigidtongue part 1 with a corresponding flexibility at the sites of theinterior transverse slits also along its longitudinal axis.

The recesses incorporated in the tongue part 1, such as preferably theinterior longitudinal slit 6, the interior transverse slits 7, the upperinterior transverse slit 8 and the lateral slits 4, result in segmentsalong the otherwise rigid tongue part 1, which are interconnected quiteflexibly by remaining narrowed material bridges 5 and which can bespread apart. Thus, a tongue structure with a rigid tongue part 1, asdescribed in the above embodiment, is both stable and non-stretchablealong its longitudinal axis and nevertheless flexibly deformable so asto adapt to the individual shape of the instep. Additional embodimentswith a larger or lesser number of the above-mentioned longitudinal andtransverse recesses are conceivable and to be adapted to the individualshoe.

As a material for the structure described above, preferably an elasticplastic which nevertheless has a high stiffness is used. Polyurethaneplastics with a Shore hardness from about 45 to about 55 areparticularly preferred. However, carbon fiber composite materials, steelplastic composite plates or the like can also be used as the basicmaterial.

Another preferred embodiment of a rigid tongue part 1 according to thepresent invention provides for the recesses applied, such as in thisexample the interior longitudinal slit 6, the interior transverse slits7, the upper interior longitudinal slit 8 and the lateral recesses 4 orparts thereof to be filled with a different material, preferably anelastic material, such as for instance soft and stretchable PU plasticswith a Shore hardness of about 25 to about 35. The elastic materialwhich is accordingly located, for instance, in the interior longitudinalslit 6, is provided with openings 9 so as to allow ventilation of thefoot in the shoe and under the tongue. Furthermore, in a preferredembodiment an additional perforation 17 (not shown in FIG. 1) could beprovided in the distal third and along the rigid tongue part 1, such ase.g. partially shown in FIG. 6, for ventilation of the foot.

In any case, under the rigid tongue part 1 described above, a padding 14having an interior longitudinal slit 14 a (see also FIGS. 5 and 6) isarranged which is substantially congruent with the interior longitudinalslit 6 of the rigid tongue part 1. The interior longitudinal slit 14 aof the padding 14 forms, with the padding 14 surrounding the interiorlongitudinal slit 14 a and with the elastic material, a cavity openingdownwards through which water vapor can escape from the interior of theshoe and through the openings 9 in the elastic material, as can be seenin FIG. 1.

The padding 14 supports a soft and substantially even distribution ofpressure of the different above-described segments of the rigid tonguepart 1 over the instep. Since the instep has anatomical protrusionsmainly along the contour line of the sagittal instep, the padding 14 ispreferably thicker in these places. Accordingly, a preferred padding 14is particularly thick in the middle along the longitudinal axis of thetongue, laterally of the interior longitudinal slit 14 a, andincreasingly thin towards the lateral edges. It is also conceivable forthe padding 14 to substantially have the shape of the rigid tongue part1, but to additionally comprise lateral lugs which are folded upwardonto the tongue part 1 and are there sewed, adhesively bonded orsimilar. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the tongue has, inaddition to the at least one rigid tongue part 1 and the padding 14, acoating which can have both an aesthetic and a practical function. Forinstance, the coating can preferably be embodied such as to be water-and dirt-repellent and easily washable and to have an agreeableappearance. A coating of leather would be conceivable as well in casethe air-permeable tongue according to the invention is used in anelegant shoe.

In total, the padding 14 and the flexibility and ability of the surfaceof the rigid tongue part 1 to be deformed, caused by the recesses in therigid tongue part 1, guarantees a good adaptation to the instep andtherefore also an even distribution of pressure. Due to the relativelystiff material of the rigid tongue part 1, shoelaces exerting pressureon the tongue do not cause pressure sores on the instep.

Another embodiment, according to the present invention, provides,following the tongue structure described above, for an integration of aTanka, such as described, for instance, in PCT/EP2010 056 022 which hasa closure function for lacing. The Tanka can be accommodated in theopening 10.

FIG. 2 shows a different, but similar embodiment of a rigid tongue part1 according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1, in which,however, additional openings 11 are provided near the longitudinal axisso as to further improve the ventilation of the foot. In this case, theinterior longitudinal slit 14 b of the padding 14 must be formedaccordingly so as to communicate with the additional openings 11 for aircirculation to the outside air. According to the invention, it is alsoconceivable to additionally provide the air-permeable tongue, as shownin FIG. 1, with the openings 9.

FIG. 3 shows another, but similar embodiment of a rigid tongue part 1according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, inwhich, however, the interior slits are arranged differently. The rigidtongue part 1 has at its center along its sagittal longitudinal axis arelatively wide and long interior longitudinal slit 6 at the center ofwhich two interior transverse slits extend which, in turn, terminate inlateral longitudinal slits 61 and 62 extending in parallel to theinterior longitudinal slit 6 to the left and to the right thereof. Thisresults in flap-like segments S1, S2, S3, S4 of the tongue part 1 whichcan easily be folded upward and outward, especially in the center of theotherwise rigid tongue part 1 or tongue, respectively, so as to providespace to a protrusion of an anatomical shape of the foot. In thismanner, the pressure is distributed more evenly over the entire instepand punctual pressures are prevented. In the preferred embodiment of therigid tongue part 1 according to FIG. 3, the segments S1 and S2 as wellas S3 and S4, interrupted by the transverse slits 7, are elasticallyinterconnected and slightly reinforced by elastic connecting elements 12which are preferably applied adhesively.

FIG. 4 a shows the same embodiment of the rigid tongue part 1 as FIG. 3,but in a more perspective view. At the proximal end 2 of the rigidtongue part 1, a proximal end face 13 of the rigid tongue part 1 and theend face of the padding 14 arranged parallel thereto and below it areshown. The tongue part 1 and the padding 14 arranged parallel to it andbelow it are preferably mutually adhered, riveted, vulcanized, sewed orotherwise connected, in a substantially planar manner.

FIG. 4 b shows a lateral view of the proximal end 2 of the embodiment ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a, wherein the tongue is drawn straight or bent straitalong its sagittal longitudinal axis so that no rear parts of the upperrigid tongue part 1 or the lower padding 14 can be seen which would bevisible in case of a flexion.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective explosion view of the rigid tongue part 1according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1, whereinhowever the existing filling material in the recesses is not shown inthe drawing, and below it the padding 14, also in the form of a tongue.Similar to the rigid tongue part 1, the padding 14 has an interiorlongitudinal slit 14 b of a certain width along its sagittal centralaxis, the interior longitudinal slit 14 b being substantially congruentwith the interior longitudinal slit 6. The function of the interiorlongitudinal slit 14 b is first to be infinitely elastic, i.e. flexible,in this place, and therefore not to limit the extension of the rigidtongue 1. The second function of the interior longitudinal slit 14 b isto allow air circulation and a breathing of the foot. A preferredembodiment of a padding 14 also provides for a breathable material whichmay also be perforated so as to further improve breathability of thefoot.

FIG. 6 shows in an explosive and slightly perspective view an embodimentof a structure of a tongue according to the present invention, whereinthe rigid tongue part 1 substantially consists of two parts, a firstrigid tongue part 1 a and a second rigid tongue part 1 b. In thispreferred embodiment, the first rigid tongue part 1 a and the secondrigid tongue part 1 b substantially have the same shape with an interiorlongitudinal slit 6 a and 6 b, respectively. On the lower, second tonguepart 1 b, however, spacing elements 15 are applied which, in case of atying of the shoe, leading to a mutual compression of the first rigidtongue part 1 a against the second rigid tongue part 1 b, maintain themspaced and thus form a ventilation channel for the interior of the shoeor the tongue, respectively. The interior longitudinal slits 6 a and 6 bare substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit 14 b.

In this embodiment, it is advantageous to use an air-permeable lowersecond rigid tongue part 1 b directed toward the foot which is eitherporous itself, has ventilation slits or recesses which can perform thefunction of ventilating the foot. According to the invention, animproved withdrawal of the water vapor from the above-mentionedventilation channel can preferably be achieved by providing perforations17 in the distal portion of the first upper tongue part 1 a, whichaspirate colder air so that a chimney effect in connection with the atleast one channel 16 described below is caused. In this manner, air andwater vapor are exchanged between the foot and the ambient air.

FIG. 7 a shows a lateral view of the proximal side of the tonguestructure according to the embodiment in FIG. 6. The rigid tongue part1, consisting of the first rigid tongue part 1 a and the second rigidtongue part 1 b and the padding 14, is shown. The first rigid tonguepart 1 a lies flat over the second rigid tongue part 1 b, whereininbetween in the center and along the longitudinal axis of the tonguethey are kept spaced by spacing elements 15. In this manner, severalopen channels 16 between the first rigid tongue part 1 a and the secondrigid tongue part 1 b are created.

FIG. 7 b shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the tongueaccording to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 a with the proximal end 2 and the distalend 3 of the rigid tongue part 1 and the channels 16 for theventilation. The lateral slits 4 each have inner ends 4 b which areslightly enlarged, as shown. The padding 14 is not shown in this view.

In such an embodiment according to the present invention, it is alsoconceivable to form the first rigid tongue part 1 a and the second rigidtongue part 1 b such that the spacing elements 15 are integral parts ofthe first 1 a and the second tongue part 1 b. It is also conceivable toprovide integral channels for ventilation in said tongue parts 1 a and 1b instead of integral spacing elements.

Other possible embodiments are described in the following claims.

The reference numbers in the claims are for better comprehensibility,but do not limit the claims to the forms shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 rigid tongue part-   1 a first rigid tongue part-   1 b second rigid tongue part-   2 proximal end-   3 distal end-   4 lateral slits-   4 b inner end of the lateral slits-   5 material bridges-   6, 6 a, 6 b interior longitudinal slit-   7 interior transverse slits-   8 upper interior transverse slit-   9 openings-   10 opening for a Tanka-   11 openings-   12 elastic connecting element-   13 proximal end face-   14 padding-   14 b interior longitudinal slit of the padding-   15 spacing element-   16 open channels-   17 perforations-   61, 62 interior lateral longitudinal slits-   S1, S2, S3, S4 segments

1. Air-permeable tongue for shoes (1) which adapts to an individualinstep and can be connected to shoes, the tongue comprising a flexiblebut rigid tongue part (1), representing substantially the upper side ofthe tongue facing outwards and having a longitudinal tongue shape with aproximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and consisting substantially of arigid, firm material, and a padding (14) arranged below the rigid tonguepart (1) and directed towards a foot in order to protect the foot frompressure sores caused by the rigid tongue part (1) after tying of theshoe, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) is characterized in thattherein, substantially at the center along the longitudinal axis of therigid tongue part (1), an interior longitudinal slit (6; 6 a, 6 b) andinterior transverse slits (7) extending therefrom are applied, producingrigid segments which in their interior are not interrupted by thelongitudinal slit (6; 6 a, 6 b) or by transverse slits (7) andproducing, also at the connecting sites between the rigid segments,narrowed and therefore flexible material bridges (5) by means of whichthe rigid tongue part (1) is deformable and can therefore adapt to theinstep, and in that the padding (14) has an interior longitudinal slit(14 b) which is substantially congruent with the longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6 b) of the rigid tongue part (1).
 2. Air-permeable tongue for shoesaccording to claim 1, the rigid tongue part (1) having lateral slits (4)with reference to the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1) onboth outer sides so as to make the rigid tongue part (1) and thereforethe tongue flexible at these sites, preferably a lateral slit (4) beingapplied in the upper, proximal third of the rigid tongue part (1) on theright and on the left and a lateral slit (4) being applied in the lower,distal third of the rigid tongue part (1) on the right and on the left.3. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 1 or 2, the rigidtongue part (1) having one or more interior lateral longitudinal slits(61, 62), parallel to the interior longitudinal slit (6; 6 a, 6 b), theinterior longitudinal slit (6; 6 a, 6 b), the interior laterallongitudinal slits (61, 62) and the transverse slits (7) havingdifferent widths so that the rigid tongue part (1) is flexible in twodirections at the same time and can be both tapered and expanded at thesites of the slits.
 4. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to atleast one of the preceding claims, wherein the areas of the materialbridges (5) have a lower material strength than the overall materialstrength of the rigid tongue part (1), so as to avoid breaking of thematerial bridges (5).
 5. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to atleast one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior longitudinalslit (6) of the rigid tongue part (1) is formed along the centrallongitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1) and starts substantiallybelow the proximal end (2) of the rigid tongue part (1) and terminatesabove the distal end (3) of the rigid tongue part (1) and whereinstarting from the interior longitudinal slit (6), interior transverseslits (7) extend to respective edges of the rigid tongue part (1). 6.Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of thepreceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) has one or moreopenings (9, 11) and/or perforations (17) which provide a ventilationfunction for the shoe and/or which can partly also be used, for sewing,riveting, adhesive bonding or the like to other parts of the tongueand/or the shoe.
 7. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at leastone of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) consistsof a stiff, but flexible material, such as a plastic or a metal or acomposite material of both, wherein for a plastic, preferably a PUmaterial with a Shore hardness of about 45 to about 55, ABS or a carbonfiber composite material is used.
 8. Air-permeable tongue for shoesaccording to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the interiorlongitudinal slit (6) and the interior transverse slits (7) of the rigidtongue part (1) are filled with a different, elastic and softer materialthan that of the rigid tongue part (1), such as preferably with anelastic, stretchable, soft PU material with a Shore hardness of about 25to about
 35. 9. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least oneof the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) has a recessand/or a fastening possibility for a Tanka at its proximal end (2). 10.Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of thepreceding claims, wherein the padding (14) is also embodied tongue-likeand substantially adapted to the rigid tongue part (1), the padding (14)thickening from the lateral edges of the tongue toward the interiorlongitudinal slit (14 b) of the padding (14).
 11. Air-permeable tonguefor shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein theinterior longitudinal slit (14 b) of the padding (14) extends from adistal quarter to a proximal quarter of tongue and/or wherein thepadding (14) consists of an air-permeable material.
 12. Air-permeabletongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims,wherein the padding (14) is fastened by injection-molding to the bottomof the rigid tongue part (1) and/or extends around the rigid tongue part(1) from its bottom face to its upper face and preferably thereforesubstantially encloses the rigid tongue part (1) in its entirety. 13.Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of thepreceding claims, the rigid tongue part (1) comprising a first rigidtongue part (1 a) and a second rigid tongue part (1 b), the first rigidtongue part (1 a) and the second rigid tongue part (1 b) substantiallyhaving a same shape and being kept spaced in a flat on top of each othermanner by spacing elements (15) therebetween in the center and along thelongitudinal axis of the tongue, so as to produce in this manner one ormore channels for ventilation towards the proximal end (2) of the tonguebetween the first rigid tongue part (1 a) and the second rigid tonguepart (1 b).
 14. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 13,wherein the first rigid tongue part (1 a) and the second rigid tonguepart (1 b) below it are shaped such that placed on top of each other,they form at least one channel therebetween for ventilation purposeswhich is guided preferably from the distal end (3) to the proximal end(2) of the tongue, the second rigid tongue part (1 b) directed towardsthe foot having openings (9, 11) through which air and water vapor cancirculate between the foot and an ambient air.
 15. Air-permeable tonguefor shoes according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the one or morechannel(s) communicate with the ambient air for ventilation throughperforations (17) applied at the distal end in the first rigid tonguepart (1 a) and/or wherein the one or more channel(s) of the rigid tonguepart (1) is/are open towards the ambient air at the proximal end (2) forventilation.
 16. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at leastone of the preceding claims, with a right tongue for a right shoe and aleft tongue for a left shoe accordingly being shaped differently. 17.Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 8, if dependent onclaim 3, wherein the interior lateral longitudinal slits (61, 62) of therigid tongue part (1) are filled with the elastic and softer materialthan that of the rigid tongue part (1), such as preferably with theelastic, stretchable, soft PU material having a Shore hardness of about25 to about
 35. 18. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at leastone of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1, 1 a, 1 b)and the padding (14) are partially or entirely covered by a coveringconsisting preferably of leather, imitation leather, fabric or adifferent material having a preferably aesthetic surface. 19.Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of claims 8through 18, the elastic and softer material being provided with openings(9).